Board: Student must cut his hair
Published: September 20, 2004
$500 donation going to Locks of Love in Garcia’s name
The Harlingen school board denied 16-year-old Gerardo Garcia Jr.’s request to grow his hair past what is permitted in the dress code.
Garcia was hoping to donate to a nonprofit organization that makes wigs for children who suffer from various diseases that cause them to lose their hair.
Garcia, a junior at Harlingen South High School, was originally told by school administrators in August to cut his hair. Garcia was hoping that the board would let him grow his hair to the 10 inches that is required by Locks of Love to make a donation.
“Although we commend Gerry’s efforts and his cause, we must deny his appeal,” school board member Verna Young said after the board reconvened following an executive session behind closed doors.
In efforts to compromise with Garcia’s desire to help children with cancer, Superintendent Linda Wade offered Garcia a chance to become the liaison between Harlingen High School South and the American Cancer Society and pledged a $500 donation in his name to the organization. The donation originally came from an anonymous donor in the amount that his donation of hair would be worth.
“When I spoke with people from the American Cancer Society, they told me that they would love to have a student from the schools help them raise money for their cause,” Wade said.
As Wade went on with her offer, Dawn Lozano, Garcia’s mother, shook her head.
“I feel that they are trying to bribe my son,” Lozano said after the meeting. “This is not about the money; it is about morals and wanting to help someone.”
“They just can’t see that I want to make a difference that does not have to do with money,” Garcia added. “There are already plenty of organizations that give money.”
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